Thaindian News

Sydney, Jan 7 (IANS) Australia coach Mickey Arthur says it will be interesting to see how India bat on a bouncy wicket at Perth after struggling on a batting-friendly deck at Sydney.

India lost the second Test here Friday by an innings and 68 runs to go 0-2 down in the four-match series.

The visitors were cleaned up for 191 on the opening day at the Sydney Cricket Ground and came up with an improved effort in the second innings to make 400 which wasn’t enough to prevent a comprehensive defeat.

“They didn’t look comfortable in the first innings. In the second, they did but then the Sydney wicket and the one in Adelaide is similar to the sub-continent. But WACA is different. It has pace, bounce and sideways movement. It will be interesting how they bat there,” said Arthur at a media interaction here.

India’s celebrated batting line-up have failed to fire in the series, raising questions on the future of the “big three” in Sachin Tendulkar, V.V.S. laxman and Rahul Dravid.

When asked about India being a team of individuals, Arthur said: “I would never say that. They are the World Cup holders. Not very long ago, they held the number one slot in Tests. I would never ever say they are a team of individuals. They have really good individual players and lately they have played as a team and have had some success as a side.”

Talking about his counterpart Duncan Fletcher, Arthur said he was sure that the Zimbabwean will get his embattled team in shape for the Perth Test beginning Jan 13.

“Duncan Fletcher is a fantastic coach. He is one of the best I have spoken to. He knows the game inside out. I am sure he would definitely be planning to comeback at Perth. He is a great man and I can tell he wouldn’t be taking these defeats calmly. He is a very proud man and he would make sure his team is ready for Perth.”